There’s news out of St. Louis Cardinals camp this morning, and it’s not very good.

From Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Cardinals closer Jason Motte has what the club is describing as a “mild strain” in his right elbow that will keep him off the mound for at least week as the team explores the severity of the injury and potential treatments.

General manager John Mozeliak said Motte will “likely” start the season on the disabled list with the flexor muscle strain, which is considered a slight tear of the tendon.

As for who will take over the closer’s role, Jenifer Langosch of Cardinals.com provides this update:

With Motte sidelined, the Cardinals will hand the closer duties over to Mitchell Boggs, who was the team’s set-up man last season. The development also means that both Joe Kelly and Shelby Miller are likely to be on the team’s Opening Day roster. The two remain in competition for the fifth rotation spot. Whoever doesn’t win the job is expected to slide into a bullpen spot.

And like Miranda wrote yesterday, it does seem like Miller is the one who’ll be in the rotation and Kelly in the bullpen.

Today the Cardinals take on the Marlins yet again, starting at 12:05 p.m. Central Time. In case you’re in the mood for baseball instead of college basketball, the game is on Fox Sports Midwest.

One person who won’t be in the lineup is Carlos Beltran, as he’s still dealing with a sore toe that was bruised by a pitch before he left for the World Baseball Classic — read more on that from Jenifer Langosch.

The starting pitcher today is Lance Lynn, and Trevor Rosenthal, Randy Choate and Boggs among those also scheduled to throw.



Christine Coleman is the lead St. Louis Cardinals reporter for Aaron Miles’ Fastball. Follow her on Twitter, @CColeman802, or email aaronmilesfastball@gmail.com. Also follow @AMilesFastball for the latest updates.